Brake system



2 Sheets-Sheet l `i ATTORNEY June 17, 1941.y c. c. FARMER BRAKE SYSTEM Filed May 31, 1939 June 17, 1941. Q C FARMER --2,246,200

` BRAKE SYSTEM Filed May 3l, 1959 I 2 Sheets-Shea?, 2

INVENTOR CLYDE' C. FARME R BY d /mgm ATTORNEY Patented June 17, 1941 UNETED BRAKE SYSTEM Clyde C. Farmer, Pittsburgh, Pa., assigner to Thev Westinghouse Air Brake Company, Wilmerding, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application May 31, 1939, Serial No. 276,663

9 Claims.

This invention relates to brake systems for vehicle wheels or other rotating elements and has particular relationeto brake systems having friction brake devices wherein the rubbing parts are urged into rictional engagement Vby resilient means such as a coil spring.

Frictional brake devices adapted to be applied by spring pressure have long been known. Various mechanical and electrical devices have been employed in the past for releasing the frictional brake devices, that is, moving the rubbing parts thereof out of engagement against the force of the spring pressure, such as for example, an air cylinder or an electric solenoid. Furthermore, the spring brake devices previously known have been of the off-on type, that is, adapted to be Wholly released or fully applied to a maximum degree without graduation or variation of the degree of application.

It is an object of my present invention to provide a spring-applied brake mechanism which is adapted to be released by means of an electric motor.

Another object of my invention is to provide a brake mechanism of the spring-applied type wherein the application of the brake mechanism may be graduated, that is, wherein the brakes may be applied to any desired degree as distinguished from the cH-on type of spring-applied brakes.

It is a further object to provide 4a brake mechanism of the spring-applied and electric motor release type having suitable provisions for enabling an immediate and rapid application of the brakes independently of the motor in the event of failure of the supply of power for the motor.

The above objects, and other objects of my invention which will be made apparent hereinafter, are obtained by several illustrative embodiments of my invention subsequently to be described and shown in the accompanying drawings wherein, l

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic elevational View mainly in Vertical section, of one embodiment of my invention,

Figs. 2 and 3 are sectional views taken on the lines 2-2 and 3-3 respectively of Fig. 1, showing further details of construction,

Fig. 4 is a View taken on the Fig. 3,

Fig. 5 is a fragmental end view ratus shown in Fig. 1,

Fig. 6 is a fragmental View showing a snapacting switch adapted to be substituted for the sliding type switch shown in Fig. 1,

Fig, 7 is a fragmental sectional View showing a rnodicationof Fig. l adapted especially for a'wide range of graduated application of the brakes, and

line liof of the appaterior of the cylinder Ii.

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic iragmental View, showing -another embodiment of my invention.

Description of embodiment shown in Fig. 1

Referring do Fig. l, Ithe brake mechanism shown comprises a casing having a cylinder II containing a brake-applying spring I2 of the coil type, which is interposed between a. threaded adjusting nut I3 screwed into the outer end of the cylinder II, and a movable abutment such as a piston I4 fixed on a brake operating rod I5 and reciprocative in cylinder II. The threaded nut I3 has a suitable central opening through which the operating rod I5 extends to the eX- Although not shown, it will be understood that the outer end of the brake operating rod I5 is suitably connected so as to actuate the rubbing parts of brake devices into and out of engagement. In the case of a vehicle wheel brake system, such as a railway car wheel brake system, the outer end of the brake operating rod I5 is suitably connected to the usual brake-rigging levers.

The brake operating rod I5 is shifted in the left-hand direction against the force of the spring I2, to effect the release of the brakes, by means of a suitable electric motor I1, illustrated as of the direct-current series type, having a rotary armature Ila, including the usual winding, and a series field winding Ilb. As indicated by the broken line, the motor I'I is connected to drive a worm I8, suitably journaled in the casing, that meshes with and correspondingly rotates a worm gear I9 likewise suitably mounted in the casing. As will be apparent later, the worm gear is subjected to the thrust of the spring I2 and accordingly a suitable thrust bearing 20 is provided in association with the worm gear I9. The worm gear I9 has a central threaded opening 2l and is adapted upon rotation to shift longitudinally in opposite directions an externally threaded sleeve 22, which has a screw relationship to the threaded inneropening 2l of the worm gear and which is suitably guided for longitudinal movement inthe casing and prevented from rotating in a manner not shown. The pitch of the threads on the worm gear I9 and sleeve 2I is such that the worm gear cannot rotate yin responseV to an axially exerted force on the sleeve. In other words, the sleeve is locked in position when the worm gear is stationary.

The threaded sleeve 2l has a smooth inner bore circular in cross-section through which the brakeY operating rod I5 extends with va close sliding fit.

The threaded sleeve 22 is norm-ally locked to the brake operating rod I5 by a toggle or knuckle device 23 carried'by the sleeve 22. The toggle device 23 comprises a small bell crank 24, that is pivoted on a suitable projecting lug 25 formed on the sleeve 22, and a pawl 26 which is pivotally connected to and cooperates with the outer end of one arm of the bell crank 24 in a manner so' as to prevent pivotal movement of the pawl 25 with'respect to the arm of the bell crank out of dead center position in one direction. The pawl 26 engages a suitabl notch 21 in the brake operating rod I and is normally maintained in dead center relation to the bell crank arm by a biasing spring 28 interposed between the sleeve 22 and the free arm of the bell crank 24. Accordingly, when the lsleeve is shifted in the left-hand direction, the brake rode I5 is correspondingly shifted. Conversely, when the sleeve 22 is shifted to the right, the brake applying spring l2 urges the brake rod to the right as permitted Vby the movement of the sleeve.

When thebell crank 24 is rocked against the force of the ybiasing spring 23, the toggle or knuckle joint between the pawl 26 and bell crank arm is broken and the pawl 26 thus disengages the notch 2l inthe brake operating rod I5. The brake operating rod I5 is thus free to move in the right hand direction with respect to the sleeve 22, so that application of the brakes may be effectedwithout movement of the sleeve. This is anA emergency feature which will be further explained hereinafter.

In view ofthe fact that the `force of the spring I2 exerts an end thrust on the worm gear I9 through the brake rod I5 and sleeve 22 the necessity for the'thrust bearing 20 at one side of the worm gear I 6 will now be apparent.

The4 operating motor I1 is controlled by a manually operative brake lever or handle 32. Although shown in close proximity to the brake mechanism, it should be understood that the brake handle 32 .may be located at a remote point, such as at a control station in a railway car, while the brake mechanism itself may be carried by the car wheel truck.Y

Carried in suitable grooves provided in a lateral extension of the casing, are two sliding members 34 and 35, the sliding member 34 being connected by a suitable link 36 to the brake handle 32 and being positioned at all times in accordance with theposition of the brake handle 32.

The sliding member 35 has secured thereto a projecting lug or nger 31 which extends .between two spaced lugs 38 formed on or attached to the sliding member 34. Thus, when the brake handle 32 is shifted in one direction or the other direction, the sliding member 34 is first shifted a certain amount until one of the lugs 38 engages the nger 3l' and then both the sliding members 34and 35 are moved together. The reason for this will be made app-arent presently.

Carried in insulated relation by the sliding member 34 is a contact bar 4I provided at a point substantially midway between the ends thereof withan insert or segment of insulating material 42. .Associated in operative contact with the contact bar 4I is a brush 43 which is carried 'by a suitable boss or extension 44 of the sleeve 22.

Also mounted in insulated relation on the sliding member 34is a contact bar 46 which is constantly connected bya wire 41 to the contact bar 4I.

The sliding member 35 carries a suitable reversing switch 49. The reversing switch 49 comprises an operating lever 5I, hereafter called the switch lever, which is pivoted on the sliding member 35 and which is forkedat one end to straddle a pinV 52 formed onor attached tothe sliding mernber34. 'Ihemovementof the sliding. member 34 relative to the sliding member 35 to the extent of movement of the finger 31 between the two lugs 38 causes the switch lever 5I to be rocked from one position to an opposite position.

Carried in insulated relation on one edge of the switch lever 5I are a pair of separate contact members 54 and 55 each of which is adapted to engage and connect a corresponding pair of associated contact members carried by the sliding member 35 in one position of the lever 5I. On the Opposite edge of the lever 5I are carried, in insulated relation, a pair of contact members 56 and 5l, each of which connects an associated corresponding pair of contact members carried by the sliding member 35 when the lever 5I is rocked to the opposite position thereof.

The sliding member 35 also carries in insulated relation four contact bars 6I, 62, 63 and 64 which are respectively 4connected by wires to corresponding contact members of the reversing switch 49, as shown in Fig. 1. Y

A plurality of brushes 46a, Gla, 62a., 63a, 64a carried in a brush holding strap or member 65 attached to the casing slidably engage the contact bars 46, 6I, 62, 63 and 64, respectively, and provide the necessary means of continuous elec'- trical connection to the contact bar 4I of the sliding member 34 and to the reversing switch 49 on sliding member 35.

As seen in Fig. 1, ther brush 43 is connected by a suitable wire 61 to one terminal of a source of direct current, such as a storage battery 68, which terminal for purposes of description will be assumed hereinafter to'be the negative terminal of the battery. One terminal of the field winding Ilb of the motor I'I is connected to the positive terminal of the battery 68 and the other terminal of the field Winding is connected by a wire 69 to the brush 64a.

One terminal of the winding of motor armature IIa is connected as by a wire 'Il to the brush dandl the opposite terminal of the armature winding is connected as by a wire 'I2 to the brush 62a. The two brushes 46a and Sla. are connected as by a strap or wire 13. It will accordingly be seen that when the brake handle'32 is shifted Yin one direction or theother the reversing switch 49 is correspondingly operated and the brush 43 engages the contact bar 4I. As will be explained in greater detail hereinafter, the motor armature I'Ia and series field winding Ib are thus energized in such a manner as to cause the sleeve 22 to follow in the direction in which the sliding member 34 is moved, the motor being stopped automatically when the brush 43 reengages the insulating segment 42 at the mid-section of the contact bar 4I.

As shown, the brake handle 32 is in its normal or brake release position so that the brake operating rod I5 is correspondingly shifted a lmaximum degreerin the left-hand direction to effect the release of the, brakes. As the brake handle 32 is shifted in a counterclockwise direction from the positionshown, it traverses a so-called application zone in which the spring I2 is gradu ally expanded until the full compressive force thereof becomes available to effect engagement of the rubbing parts of the brake devices, which occurs before the brake handle 32 reaches the end of the application Zone.

If the circuitrfor controlling the motor I'I is accidentally interrupted or if for any other reason the motor` becomes ineffective to move the sleeve 22 to permit the application of the brakes by the spring I2, it would be impossible Ato effect application of the brakes unless suitable mecha; nism were provided for' accomplishing this. In order to enable the application of the brakes under the circumstances just described, the brake handle 32 it provided with an extension 15 which is adapted to engage the lower end of a rod 1S and to shift the rod upwardly against the yielding resistance of a biasing spring 82 associated with the rod, when the handle 32 is shifted beyond the extremity of the application Zone to a socalled emergency position. The upper end of the rod 16 is pivotally connected to the outer end of an arm or lever 11 which is keyed or otherwise suitably fixed to rock shaft 18 suitably journaled in the casing at a point immediately above the toggle device 23. Fixed to the rock shaft 18 is a sleeve 15 which is provided with a laterally extending flange 8l that extends over the free-end of the bell crank 24 of the toggle device 23. The biasing spring 82 is normally effective to maintain the flange 3l out of engagement with the free end of the bell crank 24. Y When the extension 15 of the brake handle 32 shifts the ro-d 'iii upwardly, the fiange BI engages the free end of the bell crank 2li to brake the toggle joint between the bell crank 2li and pawl 2S so that the spring I2 thus becomes effective to shift the brake operating rod I5 slidably in the sleeve 22 in the right-hand direction to effect application of the brakes without operation of the operating motor i1. It will be observed that the sleeve 19 on the rock shaft is sufciently long to permit the engagement of the flange 8| with the bell crank 2li in any position of the threaded sleeve 22. v

In order to prevent the spring I2 from shifting the brake operating rod I5 too rapidly in the right-hand direction when the toggle joint of the toggle device is broken, which would result in such sudden application of the brakes as to seriously shock and discomfort the passengers, a retarding device 55 is provided. The retarding device 85 is in the form of a centrifugally operated friction brake device having pivoted levers 85 provided with friction elements 81 thereon adapted to move outwardly, against the yielding resistance of biasing springs 95, and frictionally engage the surrounding circular inner surface of a circular casing upon rotation of the shaft 85 carrying the levers 35. The circular casing is attached as by a plurality of screws S3 to the threaded sleeve 22. The shaft 88 has a pinion gear 89 fixed thereon which meshes with a suitable gear rack 9| formed at one end of the brake operating rod I5.

Accordingly, it will be seen that when the toggle joint in the toggle device 23 is broken, the movement of the brake operating rod I5 relative yto the sleeve 22 under the force of the spring I2 is frictionally retarded by the retarder B5 so as to prevent the too sudden application of the brakes.

Operation of embodiment shown in Fig. 1

the brake shoes out of contact with the tread or rim of the vehicle wheel or otherbrake surface on the wheel. I

To effect a full service Aapplication of the brakes, the operator shifts the brake handle 32 out of release position in a counterclockwise direction to the extremity of the application zone. The initial movement of the brake handle 32 causes shifting of the sliding member 34 in the right-hand direction, thus rocking the switch lever 5I of the reverser switch 49 from the position shown, in a clockwise direction, to its opposite position. Substantially at the time the contact members 54 and 55 on the switch leverV 5I engage their associated pairs of Contact members, the lug 33 on the slide member 34 engagesthe linger 31 on the slide member 35V and further movement of the brake handle 32 is accordingly effective to cause both slide members 34 and 35 to be moved simultaneously thereafter in the right-hand direction. Y

'Upon the initial movement of the slide member 313 in the right-hand direction to a degree sucient to effect disengagement of the contact members and 51 on the switch lever 5I of the reversing switch 9 from their associated Contact members, the brush 53 carried by the sleeve 22 runs off the insulating segment 52 and engages the left end of the contact bar il on the slide member ei-5. A circuit is accordingly completed for supplying current to the motor I1 and causing it to rotate in such a direction as to shift the sleeve 22 in the same direction that the slide member 33 moves, which in the case assumed is the right-hand direction. The circuit for energizing the motor I1 extends from the positive terminal of the battery 68 by way of the-field winding il'b of the motor, wire 69, brush 64a, contact bar 3Q, contact member 55 of the reversing switch l5 and its associated pair of contact members, contact bar 63, brush 53a, wire 1I, winding of the motor armature I1a, wire 12, brush 62a, contact bar 52, Contact member 54 of the reversing switch and its associated pair of contact members, contact bar 6I, brush Sia, wire 13, brush Gto, contact bar Q5, wire 41, contact bar di, brush i3 and wire 51 to the negative terminal of the battery 63.

As the threaded sleeve 22 is shifted in the righthand direction by rotation of the worm gear I9, the force of the spring I2 becomes effective to shift the brake operating rod I5 a corresponding amount as permitted by the movement of the threaded sleeve 22 due to the engagement of the pawl 26 in the notch 21.

After a sufficient movement of the threaded sleeve 22 in the right-hand direction, the rubbing parts of the brake devices engage each other and thereafter the full force of the spring I2 becomes effective to cause their engagement. The maximum force of the spring may be varied by turning the adjusting nut I3 to different positions.

The motor I1 continues to rotate the worm gear i9 and cause the threaded sleeve 22 to be shifted in the right-hand direction until the brush d3 carried by the sleeve 22 again runs off the contact bar ll on to the insulated segment d2 which interrupts the energizing circuit to the motor and results in the immediate stopping of the motor. In the case of a full service application this occurs after the full force of the spring I2 becomesA effective to apply the brakes.

If it is desired to effect less than a full service applicationiof the brakes, the operator moves the brake handle 32 only part way into the application zone. In such instance, the slide member 34 is correspondingly displaced a lesser amount from the position shown and consequently the brush 43 on the threaded sleeve 22 reengages the insulating segment 42 to cause stopping of the motor I1 before the brake operating rod. I has moved suiciently in the right-hand direction to permit the full force of the spring I2 to become effective to apply the brakes.

To effect release of the brakes, the operator returns the brake handle 32 to release position, which is the position shown in Fig. 1. In such case, the slide member 34 is first shifted in the left-hand direction without movement of the slide member 35 and the switch lever 5I of the reversing switch 49 is accordingly rocked in a counterclockwise direction into the position shown to effect engagement of the contact members 56 and 51 with their associated pairs of contact members. Substantially at the time the lever 5I of the reversing switch 49 attains the last mentioned position, the right-hand lug 38 on the slide member 34 engages the. nger 31 attached to the slide member 35 and thereafter the two slide members 34 and 35 move together in the left-hand direction.

Just as in the case of an application of the brakes, so in the case of the release of the brakes, the lever 5I of the reversing switch 49 is shifted sufficiently to interrupt the circuit previously controlled thereby before the brush 43 engages the contact bar 4 I. Accordingly with the switch lever 5I rocked to the position shown in Fig. 1 and the slide member 34 shifted in the left-hand direction, a circuit is completed for energizing the motor I1 to cause it to rotate the worm gear I9 in such a direction as to cause movement of the threaded sleeve 22 in the lefthand direction so as to follow the direction in L which the slide member 34 was moved.

This circuit for energizing the motor I1 extends from the positive terminal of the battery 68 through the motor field winding I1b, wire 69, brush 64a, and contact bar 64, to the reversingswitch 49 as previously described, then extending by way of the contact member 51 of the reversing switch and its associated pair of contact members, Contact bar 62, brush 62, Wire 12, throughthe winding of the motor armature I1a in the reverse direction to that previously described, then by wire 1I, brush 53a, contact bar 63, contact member 56 and associated pair of contact members of the reversing switch,A contact bar BI, brush Bla, wire 13, brush 46a, contact bar 46, wire 41, contactbar 4|, brush 43 and wire 51 to the negative terminal of the battery 68.

It will be observed that the reversing switch 49 was automatically effective to cause a reversal of the direction of flow of current through the winding of the motor armature I1a so that the direction of rotation of the motor I1 was accordingly reversed in well known manner.

The rotation of the worm gear I9 by the motor I1 continues until the b-rush 43 on the threaded sleeve 22 is shifted correspondingly in the lefthand direction into reengagement with the insulating segment 42 in the contact bar 4I to interrupt the energizing circuit of the motor.

This corresponds to the position of the threaded sleeve 22 and slide members 34 and 35 shown in Fig. 1 and, as previously stated, in such position the spring I2 is compressed and the brake operating rod I5 shifted in the' lefthand direction to cause disengagement of the rubbing parts of the brake devices operated thereby.

If for some reason, such as failure of the source of current supply or accidental interruption of the electrical circuits, the motor I1 fails to respond when the brake handle 32 is shifted from the release position into the application zone to effect an application of the brakes, the operator may nevertheless effect an application of the brakes without any delay by shifting the brake handle 32 the full extent into emergency position. In the emergency position of the brake handle 32l the projection 15 on the handle engages the lower end of the rod 16 and raises it against the yielding force of the spring 32 to cause the flange 8| on the sleeve member 19 to be rocked downwardly into engagement with the free end of the bell crank 24 of the toggle device 23 to break the toggle joint between the bell crank lever 24 and the pawl 26. With the toggle joint thus broken, the spring I2 is effective to shift the brake operating rod I5 in the right-hand direction, while the threaded sleeve 22 remains stationary, to effect a full application of the brakes.

As previously explained, the retarder is effective to dampen o r retard the rapid movement of the brake operating rod I5 by the spring I2 to prevent a too sudden application of the brakes in this instance so that, in the case of vehicle brakes, undue discomfort and shock to passengers on the vehicle is avoided.

It will be seen that once an emergency application of the brakes has been effected, it is impossible to release the brakes until the defect in the motor circuit or the failure of power supply is remedied.

Assuming that the circuit defect or power failure is remedied the movement of the brake handle 32 to full service position will cause the motor to operate as in the previous case to shift the threaded sleeve 22 in the right-hand direction until the pawl 26 of the toggle mechanism passes to the right of the notch 21 in the brake operating rod I5. Then by restoring the brake handle 32 to release position, the return movement of the threaded sleeve 22 by the motor I1 automatically causes the pawl 2E to engage in the notch 21 and pick up the brake operating rod I5 so as to shift it in the left-hand direction and effect a release of the brakes as previously described.

If desired, a snap-acting switch device, such as shown in Fig. 6, may be substituted for the switch device comprising the brush 43 and the Contact bar 4I of Fig. 1.

As shown' in Fig. 6, the snap-acting switch device may comprise a switch lever pivotally carried by a depending yoke 44a provided on the threaded sleeve 22 in place of the boss 44 of Fig. 1. The switch lever carries at one end an insulated contact member 43a adapted to engage a contact bar 4I@ on the slide member 34 and at the opposite end a small roller 96 which cooperates `with an arcuate recess 91 formed in the upper surface of the slide member 34,

When the threaded sleeve 22 carrying the switch lever95 occupies a predetermined position with respect to the slide member 34,` the roller 96 at thel end of the switch lever 95 is biased downwardly into the notch 91 of the slide member 34, by a biasing spring98 interposed between the lever 95 and the yoke 44a, and the contact member 43a clisengages the contact bar 4Ia. When the slide member 34 is shifted in one direction or the other with respect to the threaded sleeve 22 by means of the brake handle 32, the roller 96 on the end of the switch lever 95 rides up out of the notch 91 causing the contact member 43a at the opposite end of the lever to be snapped downwardly into sliding contact with contact bar Ma.. The contact bar lla differs from the contact bar 4| of Fig. 1 in that it does not have the insulating segment 42 midway of the opposite' ends thereof.

The operation of an equipment having the snap-acting switch shown in Fig. 6 is in other respects identical with that shown in Fig. 1 and accordingly no further description of the operation is deemed necessary.

If desired, a .further modification of Fig. 1 may be provided, as shown in Fig. 7. This modification consists in provi-ding two coaxially aligned brake rods Ia and |519 in place of the brake operating rod I5 of Fig. 1 and interposing an additional coil spring IZa therebetween.

The brake rod |5a, operates slidably in the central opening formed in the stationary adjusting nut I3 in the cylinder I, the outer end of the rod IEa being connected to the brake rigging just as the outer end of the operating rod I5 was connected to the brake rigging. At its inner end, the rod |5a has xed thereto a piston I4. The

spring I2 is interposed lbetween the nut I3 and piston I4, just as in Fig. 1.

The rod b is associated with the threaded sleeve 22 in the same manner as the corresponding portion of the operating rod I5 of Fig. 1. The end of the lrod |511 that projects into the cylinder is provided, however, with a movable abutment such as a piston Ilia that is suitably fixed to the rod .and operates in `cylinder The additional spring |2a is interposed between the two pistons I4 and Ida.

It will be understood that the operating rod |5b is shifted in the left-hand or right-hand direction, as seen in Fig. l7, by the motor under the control of the brake handle 32 to vary the degree of compression kof the spring |2a. With the brake handle 32 in its release position the spring |2a will thus be compressed to a maximum degree and consequently will exert a force on the piston I4 sufficient to overcome the spring l2 and shift the brake rod ld in the left-hand direction so as to effect a release of the brakes. As the 4brake rod |52) is shifted in the right-hand direction from the position shown in Fig. '7, the compressive force of the spring |2a is relaxed, that is decreased, and the spring I2 accordingly becomes effective to shift the brake rod Ia in the righthand direction to effect application of the brakes.

It Will ybs apparent that if the brake rod I5b is shifted sufliciently in the right-hand direction, the force exerted by the spring I2a in opposition to the spring l2 may be reduced to a negligible amount so that the lfull `force of the spring I2 becomes effective to cause application of the brakes.

If the brake rod |51) is shifted less than the full way in the right-hand direction from the position shown, the spring |2a remains effective to exert a counter-force in opposition to the force of the spring I2. Thus, depending upon the position of the brake rodV lh, the spring |2a may be so controlled as to exert a desired counterforce in opposition to the spring I2 so that the resultant force eiective to urge the rubbing parts of the brake devices into frictional Contact may be varied as desired.

This modification of Fig. 7 is advantageous in that it lends itself to `a wider range of graduated applications of the brakes than does the embodiment shown in Fig. 1.

Embodiment shown in Fig. 8

Another embodiment of my invention is disclosed in Fig. 8 which differs from that shown in Fig. 1 in providing, in place of the slide members 34 and 35, two modified slide members 34a and 35a, -corresponding respectively to the slide members 34 and 35, and a modied type of reversing switch 49a in place of the reversing switch 49 of Fig. 1. The embodiment in Fig. 8 differs further from that shown in Fig. 1 in adapting the reversing switch 49a to pilot a reversing contactor |0| and also in providing an automatically controlled brake device |62 for the operating motor to insure immediate stopping of the rotor shaft of the motor upon interruption of the energizing circuit of the motor.

Those parts of the equipment shown in Fig. 8 which are identical counterparts to those ydescribed in Fig. 1 will be designated by thev same reerence numerals as in Fig. 1 and no description thereof will be given. Accordingly only those parts of the equipment shown in Fig. 8 which are not provided in Fig. 1 will be described.

Itl will be understood that the slide member 35a is adapted to be shifted to different positions by vmovement of the brake handle 32 and that the brush i3 cooperates with the contact bar 4| carried by the slide member 35a, just as in Fig. 1. It will also be understood that limited relative movement between the slide members 34a and 35a is eected by means of two lugs 38 on the slide Bda -between which a finger 31 secured to the slide 35a extends.

The arrangement of the reversing switch 49a of Fig. 8 is somewhat different from the reversing switch 49 of Fig. 1, the operating lever 5I@ of the reversing switch 49a being pivoted on the slide member 34a and having its forked end straddling a pin 52a on the slide member 35a. The reversing switch lever Ela diers from the switch lever 5| of Fig. 1 in carrying only two contact members 54a, and 56a in insulated relation on opposite edges thereof for engaging respectively .associated pairs of contact members, fixed in insulated relation to the slide member Sila, in the two opposite positions of the switch lever Sia.

The slide member 3130i carries in insulated relation thereon three parallel extending contact bars |06, |65, land |06 respectively which are adapted to be engaged by associated brushes Illia, Nia and Ia carried in insulated relation by the brush support a suitably attached to the casing.

The contact lbar IM is connected to the contact bar lli and to one of the Contact members of each of the two pairs in opposite positions of the reverser .switch 49a by a wire Im and branch wire |03. The contact bar |05 is connected by a wire |09 to the remaining contact member of the left-hand pair of the reverser switch 49a. Ina similar manner, the contact bar |05 is yconnected by a wire III to the remaining contact member of the right-hand pair of the reversing switch 49a.

As distinguished from the slide member 35 of Fig. 1, the slide member 35a of Fig. 8l does not carry any contact bars.' The brush support 65a, however, carries a friction element ||2 which II0ll and IOIb. Each armature carries in insulated relation two contact members II4 and II5 respectively. Each contact member II4 and ||5 is adapted to engage in bridging relation an associated pair of stationary contact members II6 in the manner presently to be explained.

Associated with each of the armatures IOIa and'IDIb is a biasing spring II8 which is arranged so as to urge the corresponding armature in a direction to cause the contact members II4 and II thereon to disengage from the respectively associated pairs of stationary contact members.

'I'he armature Ilila has associated therewith an actuating solenoid I2| which is effective when energized to actuate the armature against the yielding force of the spring I I8 to effect engagement of the contact members II4 and I I5 with their respectively associated pairs of stationary contact members IIS. The armature IOIb is similarly provided with an actuating solenoid |22.

Corresponding terminals of the two solenoids ,I2I and |22 are connected by a wire |23, which is in turn connected by the wire 69 to one terminal of the eld winding I1b of the operating motor I1. The remaining terminal of the solenoid I2I is connected by a wire .|24 to the brush |05a and the remaining terminal of the solenoid .|22 is connected by a Wire |25 to the brush I06a.

It will thus 4be apparent that the armatures IUIa and IIlIb are selectively actuated, that is the actuating solenoids thereof are selectively energized, according to the position of the reversing pilot switch 49a.

'I'he brush I04a is connected by a wire |26 to one of the stationary contact members I I6 associated with the contact member II4 of the armature IOIa and by a branch wire I 21 of the Wire |26 to a stationary contact member I|6 associated with the contact member I I4 of the armature IUIb. The remaining stationary contact member I I6 of the pair associated with the contact member I|4 of the armature IOIa is connected by wire 12 to one terminal of the winding .of the motor armature I1a. The remaining contact member II6 of the pair associated with the contact member II4 of the armature I0Ib is connected by the wire 1| to the opposite terminal of the winding of motor armature I1a.

One contact member |I6 of the pair associated with the contact member II5 of the armature IOIa is connected by a branch wire |29 to the wire |23, the other stationary contact member I I6 of the same pair .being connected by a branch Wire I3I to the wire 1I.

One of the stationary contact members II6 of the pair associated with the contact member II5 of the armature |0Ib is connected by a branch wire |32 to the wire |23, the remaining contact member II6 of the same pair being connected by a branch wire |33 to the wire 12.

As will be explained in greater detail hereinafter, the reversing contactor is accordingly adapted to control the direction of flow of current vthrough the Winding of the motor armature I1a to control the direction of rotation of the motor, just as ldid the reversing switch 49 of Fig. 1. The advantage of employing the reversing contactor |0I is that it may be specially designed and adapted to carry the motor current and to interrupt the current in the motor circuit so that the pilot switch 43a may be relatively small in size and current carrying capacity.

The brake device |02 for the operating motor I1 is illustrated diagrammatically as of the friction type having a brake drum or disc |36 iixed to an extension of the motor armature shaft, indicated by the broken line, and adapted to be frictionally engaged by a pair of brake shoes |31. As seen in Fig. 8, the brake shoes |31 are carried at one end of corresponding brake operating levers |38, the opposite ends of which are pivoted to a xed support |39, and a tension spring I 4| secured at opposite ends to the two brake levers |38 urges the levers toward each other so as to cause the shoes |31 to frictionally engage the brake drum |36.

Release of the brake shoes is effected, as diagrammatically shown, by a pair of brake release solenoid windings I4I associated with the two brake levers |38 respectivelyand adapted to shift the brake operating levers |38 against the force of the spring I4I through the medium` of plungers |42 associated respectively with the solenoids.

As indicated in Fig. 8, the brake release solenoids I4I of the brake device |02 are connected in series relation in the Wire 61 connecting the brush 43 to the negative terminal of the battery 63. Thus, as will Ibe explained in greater detail presently, the solenoids I4I are energized to release the brake device |02 whenever the circuit of the motor I1 is closed and deenergized to eii'ect application of the brake device |02l Whenever the motor circuit is interrupted.

Operation of equipment shown in Fzg. 8

As shown in Fig. 8, the slide member 34a is in the position corresponding to the release position of the brake handle 32 while the threaded sleeve 22 and brake operating rod I5 are correspondingly shifted to the left-hand extremity of movement thereof to effect the release of the brakes operated by the brake operating rod I5.

When the vslide member 34a is shifted in the right-hand direction in response to the operation of the brake handle 32 out of release position to full service application position, slide member 34a is shifted relative to the slide member 35a and the reversing switch lever 5Ia is accordingly rocked in a clockwise direction from the position shown to its opposite position in which the contact member 56a bridges its associated pair of contact members. Separation of the contact member 54a from the associated pair of contact members occurs prior to the brush 43 engaging the contact bar 4|. Accordingly, with the brush 43 engaging the left-hand end of the contact lbar 4I and the reversing switch lever 5Ia rocked to its right-hand position, a circuit is completed for energizing the solenoid 22 of the reversing contactor IUI, the eld winding I1b of the operating motor I1 and the brake release solenoids I4I of the brake device |02. This circuit extends from the positive terminal of the battery 68 through the eld winding |117 of motor I1, wires 69 and |23, solenoid |22, wire |25, brush I06a, contact bar IE6, wire III, contact member 56a and its associated pair of contact members of the reversing switch 49a, wire |08, contact bar 4I, brush 43, wire S1, and solenoid windings |4| in series, to the negative terminal of the battery 68. The armature Icib of the reversing contactor iil is accordingly actuated to effect engagement of the contact members |I4 and IIE thereof with the respectively associated pairs of contact members Wi, the field winding Ilb of the motor I1 is energized, and the brake device |02 is released.

With the armature Iiilb of the reversing contactor II in its actuated position, the circuit for energizing the winding of motor armature |1a is completed. This circuit extends from the positive terminal of the battery 63 through the motor iield winding I'lb, wires 69, |23 and |32, contact member ||5 and associated Contact members H6 of the armature IIlIb, wires |33 and 12, winding of motor armature Ila, wire 1|, contact member 4 of the armature Ilb and associated pair of contact members Il, Wires |21 and |26, brush Milla, contact bar |84, Wires |01 and |88, contact bar 4|, brush 43, and to the negative terminal of the battery 68 through the wire 61 and series related solenoid windings I4I of the brake device |02.

The eld winding I'Iband the winding of motor armature Ila, are thus connected in series relation in a manner that the armature of the motor I1 is rotated in a direction to cause the threaded sleeve 22 to follow in the direction of movement of the slide member 32a., that is, in the right-hand direction. As in the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the movement of the threaded sleeve 22 in the right-hand direction permits movement of the brake operating rod I5 in response to the force of the bralke applying spring I2, which results in an application of the brakes.

'I'he operating mo-tor I1 continues to shift the threaded sleeve 22 in the right-hand direction until the brush 43 carried by the sleeve 22 runs off the contact bar 4| on to the insulating segment 42 to effect interruption of the circuit previously traced. The armature Illlbl of the reversing contactor I lll is instantly actuated to open position upon deenergization of the solenoid |22 and thus the interruption of the motor current is effected by the contact members 4 and ||5 of the armature IGIb, thereby avoiding the undesirable arcing at the brush 43 and the consequent pitting of the brush 43 and contact bar 4|.

The deenergization of the solenoids I4I of the brake device I 02 causes instantaneous application of the brake device to the shaft of the f motor |1 and thus prevents any coasting of the motor armature shaft after interruption of the motor circuit. According1y,`accurate and sensitive control of the position of the threaded sleeve 22 and accordingly accurate and sensitive control of the degree of application of the brakes is obtained. This is particularly true in the case of the modification of Fig. 1 shown in Fig. '1.

To effect the release of the brakes, the slide member 34a is shifted in the left-hand direction to the position shown. In this case, the initial movement of the slide member 34o relative to the slide member 35a, causes the reversing switch member 5in, to rock in a counterclockwise direction into the position shown, separation of the contact members 56a on the switch lever Ela from the associated pair of contact members occurring before the brush 43 engages the righthand end of the contact bar 4|.

With the brush 43 engaging the right-hand end of the contact bar 4| and the reversing switch lever Ela in the position shown, a circuit is completed for energizing the solenoid |2| of the reversing contactor armature IIa, the field winding I1b of the motor I1 and the solenoid windings I4I of the brake device |02. This circuit extends from the positive terminal of the battery 68 by way of the motor field winding |117, wires 69 and |23, solenoid |2I, wire |24, brush |050., Contact bar |85, wire |29, contact member 54a and the associated pair of contact members of reversing switch 49a., wires |01 and |08, contact bar 4|, brush 43, 61 and solenoids, |4| of the brake device |l2 to the negative terminal of the battery v68.

The motor brake device |02 is accordingly released and the armature I llIa, of the reversing contacter |0| actuated into its position for closing a series circuit through the winding of motor armature Ila. and field winding I1b. The cir'- cuit of the motor armature winding extends from the positive terminal of the battery 68 through the motor eld winding |111 and wires 69, |23 and |29 to one of the contact members I |6 of the pair associated with the contact member I| 5 of the armature IIa., thence by way of the contact member I I5, the other Contact member H6, branch wire ISI, wire 1|, the Winding of motor armature I1, wire 12, contact member ||4 and associated pair of contact members ||6 of the armature lilla, Wire |26, brush IMG., contact bar |64, wires |91 and |28, contact bar 4|, lbrush 43, and thence to the negativelterminal of the battery B8 as previously traced.

It will be observed that the direction of ow of current through the motor armature winding is in the opposite direction to that occurring in response to the operation of the armature II'IIb of the reversing contactor and that consequently the armature of the motor I1 rotates in the opposite direction to cause the threaded sleeve 22 to be shifted in the left-hand direction.

As in the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the movement of the threaded sleeve 22 in the lefthand direction picks up the brake operating rod I5 through the toggl-e device 23 to cause corresponding shifting of the brake operating rod I5 in the left-hand direction to effect the release' of the brakes. Y

When the threaded sleeve 22 has' shifted suffi ciently in the left-hand direction, the brush 43 runs off the contact bar 4| on to the insulating segment 42, thus interrupting the motor circuit and the circuit of the solenoids I! of the brake device |92. The supply of current to the motor I1 is a-ccordingly interrupted by return of the armature ||l|a of the reversing contactor I|l| to its circuit-opening position. Thus the motor l1 is stopped and the brake device |22 associated therewith is instantly applied.

Although not shown in Fig. 8, it should be understood that the toggle device 23 between the threaded sleeve 22 and the brake operating rod I5 is adapted to be brok-er1 by operation of the brake handel to an emergency positionv to permit application of the brake applying spring |2 in the event of failure of the battery 68 or accidental interruption of the motor circuit.

Summary summarizing, it will be seen that I have disclosed several embodiments of my invention together with several modifications thereof, in which the brakes associated With a rotary element are applied by the force of a spring and released by an electric motor.

Specifically, the electric motor drives a threaded sleeve through a worm and worm gear in opposite directions, the threaded sleeve being interlocked with a brake operating rod through a toggle device. The movement of the threaded sleeve in one direction permits the brake applying spring to become effective to shift the brake operating rod in a direction to apply the brakes. Conversely, the movement of the threaded sleeve in the opposite direction is effective to shift the brake operating rod against the force of the brake applying spring to effect release of the brakes. The relation of the threaded sleeve and driving worm gear is such that when the worm gear ceases to rotate the sleeve is locked in position. Thus, when the motor stops, the brakes remain applied or released depending upon the position of the brake operating rod.

Suitable mechanism is provided for breaking the lroggle joint of the toggle device-to permit the brake applying spring to shift the brake operating rod in a brake applying direction in the event of failure of the electric source of current for the motor or the motor circuit. To prevent the too sudden application of the brakes in such case, a retarder is provided for frictionally resisting movement of the brake operating rod.

A modified arrangement is also disclosed in which the force of the brake applying spring is opposed in varying degree by a second spring, the force of which is controlled by the electric motor through the threaded sleeve. This modification is especially adapted to permit a wide range of graduated application of the brakes.

In one of the embodiments disclosed, a springapplied solenoid-released brake is provided for the operating motor to provide accurate control of the position of the threaded sleeve and correspondingly of the degree of application of the brakes since this prevents undesired movement of the operating motor after the energizing circuit therefor is interrupted. In this embodiment a reversing oontactor is provided which is especially adapted to interrupt the motor circuit.

While I have disclosed certain specific embodiments of my invention it will be understood that various omissions, additions or modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of my invention. It is accordingly not my intention to limit the scope of my invention except as it is necessitated by the scope oi the prior art.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a brake system, a brake operating member, a spring eiective to exert a force urging the brake operating member in a direction to effect application of the brakes, an electric motor, a

control member shiftable in one direction upon rotation of the saidrmotor in one direction and shiftable in the opposite direction upon rotation of the motor in the opposite direction, means so relating the control member to the brake operating member as to cause movement of the brake operating member in a direction to effect release of the brakes upon movement of the control member in one direction and so as to permit shifting the brake operating member in a direction to eiiect application of the brakes by the said spring upon movement of the control member in the opposite direction, a circuit for energizing the motor, a manually operative member,

a-reversing switch device having two positions for so controlling the circuit of said motor as to cause rotation thereof in opposite directions when in the two positions respectively, and means effective to cause operation of said reversing switch to one position upon movement of the manually operative member in one direction and operation of the reversing switch to the other position upon movement' ofthe manually operative member in the opposite direction whereby to automatically control the direction of rotation of the motors to cause it-to shift the said control member in a direction to follow the direction of the movement of the manually operated member, and switch means including cooperating members on the manually operative means and on the control member for automatically causing the circuit of the motor to be interrupted when the control member is positioned according to the position of the manually operative member.

2. In a brake system., a brake operating member, a spring effective to exert a force urging the brake operating member in a direction to effect application of the brakes, a control member, powerV means for shifting said control member in opposite directions. interlocking means normally effective to render the said control member effective to move the brake operating member in a direction to effect release of the brakes upon movement of the control member in one direction and so as to permit movement of the brake operating member by the said spring in a direction to eiect application of the brakes upon movement in the control member in the opposite direction, means including a manually operative means operative over a predetermined zone for controlling the operation of the power means to shift the control member in opposite directions and stop it in a desired position, and means effective upon movement of the manually operative means out of the normal operating zone for rendering the interlock means between the control member and the brake operating member ineffective so as to permit shifting of the brake operating member in a direction to effect application of the brakes under the force of said pring without movement of said control mem- 3. ln a brake system, a brake operating member, a spring effective to exert a force urging the brake operating member in a direction to effect application of the brakes, a rotary member rotatable in a fixed position and having a central internally threaded perforation, a threaded member cooperating with the threaded perforation of the rotary element in a manner to be moved longitudinally in one direction without rotation upon rotation of the rotary element in one direction and longitudinally in the opposite direction without rotation upon reverse rotation of said rotary element, a pawl carried by the threaded member arranged to act upon the brake operating member in a manner that movement of the threaded member in one direction causes the lpawl-io exert a force to shift the brake operating member in a direction to effect release of the brakes and movement of the threaded member in the opposite direction permits the spring to shift the brake operating member in a direction to .effect application of the brakes to a degree permitted by the movement of the threaded member in that direction, the relation of the threaded member and the rotary element being such that the force of said spring exerted on the threaded member is ineffective to cause rotation of the rotary element.

4. In a brake system, a brake operating member, a spring adapted to exert a force urging the brake operating member in a direction to effect application of the brakes, a control member shiftable in opposite directions, power means for moving said control member, means normally effective to associate the control member with the brake operating member in a manner to cause movement of the brake operating member in opposition to the force exerted by said spring in .a direction to effect release of the brakes upon movement of the control member in one direction and to permit movement of the brake operating member under the inuence of said spring in a direction to effect application of the brakes upon movement of the control member in the opposite directiony and means for controlling said power means and operative also to render the last said means ineffective whereby to cause movement of the brake operating member by the said spring in a direction to effect application of the brakes without movement of said control member.

5. In a brake system, a brake operating member, a spring adapted to exert a force urging the brake operating member in a direction to effect application of the brakes, a control member shift-able in opposite directions, means normally associating the control member with the brake operating member in a manner to cause movement of the brake operating member in opposition to the force of said spring in a direction to effect release of the brakes upon movement of the control member in one direction and to permit movement of the brake operating member under the influence of said spring in a direction to effect application of the brakes upon movement of the control member in the op-posite direction, means for rendering the last said means ineffective so as to cause movemenlt of the brake operating member by the said spring in a direction to effect application of the brakes without movement of said -control member, and means eifectiveto impede movement of the brake operating member only upon movement of the brake operating member relative to said control member.

6. In a brake system, a brake operating member, a spring adapted to exert a force urging the brake operating member in a direction to elect application oi the brakes, a control member shiftable in opposite directions, means normally associating the control member with the brake operating member in a manner to cause movement of the brake operating member ln opposition to the force of said spring in a direction to eiectvrelease of the brakes upon movement of the control member in one direction and to vpermit movement of the brake operating member under the inuence of said spring in a direction to elect application of the brakes upon movement of the control member in the opposite direction, means for rendering the last said means ineffective so as -to cause movement of the brake operating member by the said spring in a direction to eifect application of the brakes without movement .of said control member, and friction means adapted to resist movement of the brake operating member only upon movement of the brake operating member relative to the said control member.

7. In a brake system, a brake operating member, a sp-ring adapted to exert a force urging the brake operating member in a direction to effect application of the brakes, a control member shiftable in opposite directions, means normally associating the control member with the brake operating member in a manner to cause movement of the brake operating member in opposition to the force exerted by said spring in a direction to effect release of the brakes upon movement of the control member in one direction and to permit movement of the brake operating member under the influence of said spring in a direction to effect application of the brakes upon movement of the control member in the opposite direction, means for rendering the last said means ineffective so as to cause movement of the brake operating member by the said spring in a direction to effect application of the brakes without movement of said control member, and centrifuge operated brake means operative only upon movement of the brake operating member relative to the control member for retarding movement of the brake operating member.

8. In a brake system, a brake operating member, a spring adapted to exert a force urging the brake operating member in a direction to effect lan application of the brakes, a control member shiftable in opposite directions, toggle means having a normally unbroken position and effective in such position to associate the control member with the brake operating member in a manner to cause movement of the brake operating member in opposition to the force exerted by said spring in a direction to effect release of the brakes upon movement of the control member in one direction and to permit movement of the brake operating member under the inuence of said spring in a direction to effect application of the brakes upon movement of the control member in the opposite direction, and means adapted to cause operation of the toggle means to a broken position wherein movement of the brake operating member in a direction to effect application of the brakes is effected by said spring Without movement of said control member.

9. In a brake system, a brake operating member, a spring effective to exert a force urging the brake operating member in a .direction to effect application of the brakes, a control member, power means for shifting said control member in opposite directions, toggle means having a normally unbroken position in which it is effective to so associate the control member and brake operating member as to cause movement of the brake operating member in opposite directions to cause release or application of the brakes only in correspondence with the movement of the control member, and manually operative means for controlling said power means adapted also to eiect operation of the said toggle means to a broken position wherein movement of the brake operating member Lin a direction to eiect application of the brakes is eiected by said spring Without movement of the said control member.

CLYDE C. FARMER. 

